Cairo – Marking the conclusion of the Leadership for Education and Development (LEAD) undergraduate scholarship program at the American University in Cairo (AUC), Minister of International Cooperation Dr. Sahar Nasr and USAID Mission Director Sherry Carlin congratulated scholarship recipients and celebrated twelve years of the program’s success. 

“Since 2004, the LEAD program has awarded scholarships to gifted public school students from every governorate and provided them with the knowledge and skills necessary to lead, excel, and contribute to their communities,” USAID Mission Director Sherry Carlin said during the ceremony at AUC.  “Education is one of the surest ways to help build Egypt’s prosperity, and USAID has been proud to support this vital program.” 

A joint effort of the Ministry of International Cooperation, the U.S. Government through USAID, and the American University in Cairo, LEAD has awarded 400 scholarships to public high school graduates to attend AUC.  The program selected students based on academic merit, leadership potential and civic engagement from all 27 governorates.  Over 80 percent of program graduates found employment within six months of graduation, many are pursuing post-graduate degrees, and all are contributing to Egypt’s prosperity.

For nearly four decades, the American people through USAID have invested in the Egyptian people through nationwide programs in health, education, governance, and economic development.  Since 2010, USAID has provided 600 scholarships to Egyptian universities for talented students from disadvantaged backgrounds and 250 scholarships and fellowships to professionals to study at U.S. universities.  The new U.S.-Egypt Higher Education Initiative offers nearly 1,000 scholarships and exchanges at universities in the United States and Egypt.  This is part of the $30 billion that the American people have invested in Egypt through USAID since 1978.